Bhairav Battalions:
For the first time, the Indian Army’s newly raised Bhairav Battalion will march down Kartavya Path and salute the Supreme Commander during the Republic Day parade.
- They are a new class of compact, high-tech combat units of the Indian Army.
- Each battalion comprises personnel from infantry, artillery, air defence, signals, and other combat support arms.
- They are specially equipped for swift, surprise, and high-impact operations in diverse combat environments.
- Unlike Para Special Forces, which handle strategic missions deep inside enemy territory, Bhairav Battalions are positioned closer to the border.
- Their job is to handle tactical, fast-breaking situations, the kind that require immediate response rather than detailed planning.
- In the Army’s own words, Bhairav units are built to “fight tonight”, meaning they must be ready to move at short notice, often without waiting for larger formations.
- The Bhairav units will act as a bridge between Special Forces and regular infantry, aimed at freeing up Special Forces for more critical assignments.
- The battalions are being placed under corps and division-level formations, especially in sectors considered sensitive, Rajasthan, Jammu, Ladakh, and the Northeast.
- Their structure allows them to be deployed for multi-domain tasks, a mix of ground action, drone operations, and electronic support.
